The PLASA Standards Office has prepared a series of Guidance Notes for PLASA Members. Each provides useful information on current topics of interest and will be updated on an ongoing basis in line with developments. Further documents are planned in response to the needs of PLASA members. The following guidance documents are currently available. These documents are in PDF (Portable Document Format) and may be read with Adobe Acrobat Reader (version 3 or later) which is available free from www.adobe.co.uk
Guide to Australian EMC Framework: contains advice on the EMC and C-Tick labelling requirements for equipment destined for the Australian market.
Basic Guide to the FCC Rules: contains advice on application of the USA Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules on EMC fo
A Baldwin Boxall VIGIL voice alarm system has been installed into the first purpose-built racetrack in Britain for over 50 years. Following the phenomenon of Champ Car in the USA, the Rockingham Oval was designed and built so British crowds can flock to see these powerful cars race around a banked track at speeds of up to 240mph. This all-seater circuit required a state of the art voice alarm (VA) system, and ARB Audio & Visual Hire installed Baldwin Boxall’s VIGIL VA equipment. The system, installed prior to the official opening for the FedEx Championship’s visit to the circuit for the Rockingham 500, comprises two 43U racks, housing over 3.5kW of amplification and is controlled by Baldwin Boxall’s market-leading BVR20 ‘Microdrive’. The VIGIL equipment provides VA and Public Address facilities to eight zones, including the Pit area, VIP Boxes, all seating,
It appears that Bob Cashill is no longer editor of Lighting Dimensions magazine. In a notice posted on the publication’s website, a brief statement says that on July 28, publisher Jacqueline Tien appointed David Barbour to head up the editorial staff for Lighting Dimensions. Barbour, a veteran of the Entertainment Design/Theatre Crafts and Lighting Dimensions team, has 11 years' experience with the publications. Prior to that he was the director of the Drama Desk Board, which is second only to the Tony Awards group. Cashill had been appointed editor of Lighting Dimensions in 1996. There is no mention of what his future plans might be.
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Strictly FX, Pushing Boundaries
Strictly FX was founded in 1996 by industry veterans Mark Grega and Ted Maccabee. Our expertise and knowledge of the world’s leading pyrotechnic, laser, and flame manufacturers allows us to curate astonishing live events. With over 500+ shows performed a year, there’s good chance you’ve seen some of our work!
Building on the success of its original Lightforce speaker enclosures, Italian specialist PA builder FBT is set to launch its new Lightforce 2 series at this year’s PLASA show, on the Proel International stand. For users who demand wood - not moulded plastic - enclosures, Lightforce 2 offers a unique solution - the sound quality and substance of wood, but with lightweight, due to FBT’s poplar ply construction method. The Lightforce 2 range comes in both passive and active bi-amped versions. Total component reliability is ensured thanks to FBT’s ADAP electronic transducer protection system and the carpet-covered asymmetrical trapezoidal enclosures incorporate several unique features that make them easy to adapt for flying, stacking or installation uses.
Models in the unpowered Lightforce 2 range run from the two-way LF32 1x10" plus 1" compression driver, whic
ADDA will launch its new catalogue at the PLASA Show. The new full-colour catalogue features 12 pages of information about the company’s large range of high quality cases and services, highlighting the wide choice of materials and finishes as well as fittings and colour options. For the first time, the catalogue will embrace the OXO product range of architectural lighting protection - Con'Dome, Flight'Dome and the new Upside'Dome. The latter received an honorable mention at ABTT earlier this year and finally solves the problem of bad weather versus intelligent lighting. Also covered in detail are the range of options for sizes and rigging kits for the Domes. The complete catalogue will go online in September 2001.
Running from 3-6 February 2002 at the Paris Expo Centre, Porte de Versailles, the 2002 SIEL event celebrates its 20th anniversary and looks set to continue its successful run. Last year the event received close to 24,000 visitors in attendance to meet some 280 exhibitors. Now uniting three major entertainment markets - SIEL Entertainment, SIEL Night & Show and SIEL Event, SIEL offers visitors access to a diverse and complementary range of products. Reed Expositions France, organisers of SIEL, can be contacted at: 70, rue Rivay - 92532 Levallois Perret, Cedex, France.
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The Many Looks of Zeo
Delivering ultimate brightness and unique looks, Zeo’s distinct face design is defined by a central LED monolith and four reflectors, backed by four RGBW engines. As a blinder or strobe, Zeo promises powerful impact with 30,000+ lumens. With its sheer brilliance and playful effects, Zeo is ready to amplify the energy on any stage.
The Entertainment Services and Technology Association has launched projects to draft three new American National Standards:
BSR E1.18, Recommended practice for the selection, installation, use, and maintenance of single-conductor portable power feeder cable in the entertainment industry. The standard is intended to offer guidance on how to select, install, use and maintain single-conductor portable power feeder cables. The project will promote safety and compatibility in the equipment and practices used in live performance and in film and video production in North America.
BSR E1.19, Recommendations for the use of ground fault devices in the entertainment industry. The standard is intended to offer guidance on how to select, install, use and maintain ground fault protection devices in the entertainment industry. The project is intended to promote the use of these devi
The famous Mann's Chinese Theatre, situated on Hollywood Boulevard, is presently undergoing a restoration which, among other things, will bring new, state-of-the-art audio to the structure using DCA Series amplifiers from QSC Audio Products. The largest supplier of power amplifiers to the cinema industry worldwide, QSC, along with other manufacturers including Dolby Labs and JBL, helped develop the theatre's new sonic blueprint. Implemented by Media Technology Source (MTS) West, the design incorporates 35 of the California-based manufacturer's DCA Series amplifiers. Delivering a combined total of over 100,000W to JBL loudspeaker components, the amplifiers include five DCA 3422 models operating in bridged mono at the system's low-end, and five stereo DCA 3022s powering custom mid/high and mid/low arrays. Three DCA 2422 units are used for the high frequency transducers within the system, w
Lighting design company MAD Manufacturing will be providing lighting design support for John Hornby Skewes’ stand at this year's PLASA Show. At the recent JHS Event 2001, held on-site at the music trade distributor's Garforth head office, MAD provided an impressive full lighting rig as visual support in the HK Audio pro audio demo theatre, in addition to being a guest exhibitor at the JHS Event. With a well-deserved reputation for innovation in what is a highly competitive industry, MAD were impressed by the level of reaction they received during the JHS Event 2001 from the many music trade visitors, and are delighted to be involved with JHS again for the PLASA Show.
Lighting&Sound International, PLASA Media’s leading entertainment technology journal, is sponsoring the New Technology Gallery at PLASA 2001. This is the showcase of all products nominated for the prestigious PLASA Awards for Product Excellence. Situated on the Top Deck of the PLASA Show, near to the main bar area, the showcase offers visitors a chance to check out the features and capabilities of all of the major product innovations at PLASA 2001, in one place.
L&SI will be based on the Lower Deck (stand K19), where we will be offering free readerships to qualifying UK industry personnel, plus special offers on international subscriptions only available at PLASA 2001 - plus PLASA Media freebies to all new subscribers!
Coleraine-based Light & Sound FX has installed a new PA system at Coleraine Football Club. The system, commissioned by Mackie Designs’ technical manager Mick Williams, is based around RCF’s new RX 3000, a programmable matrix for sound system management and control. Light & Sound FX’s Darren Gardener explains the background to the install: "Initially, we were dubious about using a 100V line system. We were concerned about both the quality and clarity of such a system. During consultations with Mackie/RCF in the early stages of the project, both Andy Austin Brown and myself spent a lot of time going over the pros and cons for a low impedance system or a 100V line system. In the end, we felt that Andy had a stronger case and we went with the HD 550/HFT horn speakers and the RX3000 matrix system. On the day that Mick Williams came to commission and test the system, I h
Industry veteran Bob Kelly is about to launch a used live sound equipment website. One of the many features of the new website will be a series of ‘Character Assassination Pages’ which will feature many industry veterans who have been caught out on the Kelly box brownie over the years. Kelly explains: "I managed to accumulate quite a large back catalogue of photos which I feel should be put on public display for the sake of prosperity. New photos will be posted onto the website on a weekly basis." Kelly, who is now operating under the banner of Bob Kelly & Co - Worldwide Livesound Brokers, will operate from offices in London and the US.
This year, Carlsbro Electronics will be exhibiting at the PLASA show for the first time. This famous British manufacturer started making quality sound equipment 40 years ago, from their factories near Mansfield, Notts. The company has a new 32-page catalogue and some innovative products on demo, including the revolutionary ‘NlightN’ sound panels, featuring ‘NXT’ technology. The Company’s new owner, Andrew Bishop, will be on the stand, together with R&D manager, Garry Brookes, and area sales manager, Mal Ward.
Constella is adding three new products to its DMX512 lighting range at PLASA this year. Following the success of the Chameleon 5 at PLASA 2000, the company has made the unit intelligent, and now presents the Chameleon 5 DMX. Other additions include the Astra Moon Scan and Astra Moon Star effects, combining the crystal sharp images and responsive movement of the Chameleon 4 with a choice of two light delivery systems – the scan head or the rotating barrel.
Forget three-phase power supplies, water-cooling, unreliable performance and costly maintenance, plug and play lasers are definitely the way ahead according to laser firm VIVID. By plugging into a standard 13amp socket crisp, pin-sharp graphics and animated images can be thrown from the lightweight laser with the bonus of high speed digital blanking. With each image as a separate entity the permutations for all manner of presentations is endless, says Mike Lister, managing director of Vivid.
Lister has teamed up with Clive Davies, the technical mind behind Laser Electronics, to form Vivid, which is based in brand new 12,000sq.ft high-tech headquarters in Wakefield. Vivid manufactures a rotor moulded, stylish lightweight case which can be colour-matched to any interior. Each unit weighs less than 15 kilos and can be daisy-chained like any intelligent lighting rig. Vivid claims it's the
Pani is introducing the BP 2.5 ECO - a new development on the PANI ‘T’ (Turbo) generation platform. Economy and effectiveness were the prime aims for the company in the achievement of unprecedented value-for-money in a projector in this category. The BP 2.5 ECO is specially designed for short and medium distances. As a high-quality member of the PANI projection system, it is fully compatible with the complete accessory range including all objectives as well as the new Compact Scroller CS 70.
Another inovation from Pani, the Economic Slide System (ESS), gives users the opportunity to produce their own slides. They only need a PC or Mac. The ESS is a one-stop solution consisting of a state-of-the-art inkjet photoprinter, printer software with template for the output medium, 50 PANI special foils and 15 aluminium slide frames.
The skyline of the city of Dublin recently witnessed the arrival of a unique feature when AC Lighting, working on behalf of London-based architects Hunt McGarry, commissioned a unique lighting scheme on a telecommunications mast in the city centre. The revolutionary 30m high mast, known as the Esat Digifone Telecommunications Millennium Landmark Structure is located next to an M50 motorway interchange in Tallaght, Dublin. The mast has the shape of a slender inverted cone and is constructed using laser-cut perforated stainless steel.
Under the direction of AC’s project manager Peter Keiderling, various options were considered from neon to side-emitting fibre optics. Neon was determined to be the most effective and a scheme was devised utilizing custom-manufactured segments of green neon to form double rings round the mast at 17 levels. Over 200 lengths of neon were produced in a
Sold out smash hits aren't that common in the West End. Shows that have to add extra performances to cope with demand even less so! But an exception returns to London for three weeks from this Friday: The Service Company's popular Strand 500-series training courses. First held earlier in January this year, the half day courses covered a variety of levels of Strand's popular range of lighting consoles, which are found in an ever-increasing number of theatres in the West End and round the country. Demand for the courses was so great that they are to return for three Fridays from this week, 10 August - and are to be repeated in the morning and afternoon of each Friday, allowing twice as many people to participate.
Two courses are being run. The first, on 10 August and 17 August, covers the use of the console for controlling conventional lighting and colour scrollers from the basic level,
Few people understand the full complexities of health and safety regulations inherent in the design and installation of motion control systems, even less so when EU legislation is surpassed by a country’s own. The DIN standards, imposed by the TÜV, are known for being the toughest, most stringent safety regulations in the world and govern installations from railways and airlines to nuclear power stations. It was within such DIN regulations that AVW Controls designed, manufactured and installed the automation systems for the newly-built 1,450-seat Concert Hall in Thessalonika, Greece.
The facility is used for opera, theatre and as a convention centre, and as such needs to be totally flexible. The specification, one of the largest AVW has worked on, called for a fully computerised flying system for 34 scenery bars, 10 point hoists and four lighting bars, all with the capability o
West London based Ampekko continues to grow from strength to strength and, as part of their expansion into new premises, have recruited Pat Bradley to head their national sales division. With 25 years’ industry experience in the sales of complex integrated systems, Pat Bradley is well positioned to take on his new role and handle the UK sales of pro audio brands including SLS, from the United States, WHD from Germany and Commax from Korea. As Pat Bradley explained: "I’m so pleased to have joined Ampekko. As a young and forward-thinking organisation, we are committed to introducing these product ranges and expanding their market share. I’m looking forward to playing an active role in the company’s growth and establishing a strong dealer and distribution network across the UK. All of the product lines offer enormous potential across a wide range of systems desi
Developed for the stringent sound level monitoring laws in Europe, the 'Argos' Sound Leveller and 'Hera' recorder/controller from Apex, Belgium, combine to make an affordable, dedicated limiting system. As well as keeping audio levels under control, the system also monitors and records events over a 14-day period, time-stamping and saving data to PC to create a log for local inspectors. The Argos leveller features speed selection, built-in Pink Noise Generator, inline test button and three connection/detection sources - mic (supplied), line or speaker (up to1800W / 8ohm). A mode selector switches between normal (automatic) and 'hold' which sustains threshold level between quiet pauses, or song breaks during live performances. Ins and outs are all balanced XLR and unbalanced phono. Setting switches for 'Argos' are located behind a removable plate, and when linked, the 'Hera' will record